There are many ingredients found in sunscreen that are actually harmful for the environment. The most harmful chemical is oxybenzone; It alters coral DNA, increases risk of potential fatal bleaching and acts as an endocrine disruptor. [12] The damaging effects of oxybenzone can come from as small a concentration as 62 parts per trillion. Oxybenzone along with octinoxate and butylparaben cause viral diseases in the algae accountable for feeding coral reefs, which prompts to the decreasing of regenerative capacities in fish species. Algae is what gives coral reefs life and coral reefs are home to 25% of fish species so if the algae dies, so do the species. Oxybenzone can be distinguished in urine following 30 minutes of anointment, so flushing …show more content…
Corals are greatly affected by both chemical and physical sunscreen because just like it is absorbed into human skin and into the systemic circulation, it is also absorbed in coral reefs. Using a water resistant sunscreen, which will stay on the skin rather than getting in the water and affecting the coral reef can be extremely useful and can change a lot. Before buying sunscreen, making sure that it has been tested biodegradable is very important. [13] This way, it is ensured that no matter how much sunscreen is used, it will not affect the environment negatively or mess with any of the living organisms. Before turning to sunscreen, see if you really need it or if you can find another alternative. For example, using other things such as a hat or sunglasses and not using sunscreen will reduce the harmful effects. Staying in the sun and getting Vitamin D for 20 minutes is healthy but any more than that is harmful, so instead of automatically putting on sunscreen and risking the chance of harming the environment after that, you can stay in the shade or use an umbrella. [13] If you must use sunscreen, applying it to just the face or areas that will not get in the water while you are swimming in the ocean can change a lot. [15] Even just washing off sunscreen in the shower can affect coral life because chemicals from the sunscreen enter the sewer and are able to reach the underwater species. In order to prevent this, you can try to take off as much of the sunscreen as possible using a towel and a bottle of water while making sure it does not go through any drains. Another thing that can be done is to encourage sunscreen companies to only make biodegradable products and ban the ones that are not, completely.
Coral reefs around the world are in danger. One of the causes is global warming, which has been increasing the temperature of the ocean water resulting in coral bleaching. This essay will focus on damage occurring to the Great Barrier Reef.
Marks, R., P.A. Foley, D. Jolley, K.R. Knight, and J. Harrison. 1995. The effect of regular sunscreen use on vitamin D levels in an Australian population: results of a randomized controlled trial. Archives of Dermatology 131: 415-421.
...and MEA. These chemicals are said to be linked with breast cancer, skin rashes, estrogenic, hormone disruptor, linked to liver and kidney cancer, and irritates the eye.
This article discusses how important the organisms symbiotic with coral reefs are, as well as how important coral reefs are to our environment. Also explained is how natural and non natural things things like hurricanes and overfishing affects them. A study is quoted about how water acidity also plays a role in the bleaching of corals. Lastly, restoration and conservation efforts are discussed and how we could possibly help our oceans.
Coral Reefs are said to be the “tropical rainforest” of the sea. They are home to over 25% of all marine life (http://coralreefalliance.org.stories/storyReader$77). Over the past few decades they have been subjected to destructive anthropogenic practices. Some of the major threats to coral reefs include sedimentation, water pollution, harmful recreational activities, and global warming. All of these things cause stress on corals and can potentially cause mortality. Corals are made up of two parts, a polyp and zooxanthellae. A polyp is a calcerous body that grows from a hard part of the ocean floor. Zooxanthellae is a photosynthetic algae which lives in the polyp and provide energy for themselves and the coral. In many cases, corals undergo “bleaching,” which is a process where corals lose the zooxantheallae or chlorophyll pigment, and turn white (Wilkinson et all). After bleaching corals can survive for several months. It is possible for corals to recover by hosting more zooxantheallae, but it can take between 5 and 50 years for them to recover completely (Wilkinson et all, 1999).
Sun shine contain ultraviolet ray which can cause the sunburn or even skin cancer. According to Cancer Council in Australia, Australia has highest incident rate of skin cancer in the world. More than 430000 Australians are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. There are approximately 60 percent of people who have got skin cancer will survive greater than five years after they diagnosis (Cancer Council Australia, 2014). In order to protect people under the sun, the sun protective behaviour is significant necessary.
Some ways to help our coral reefs are conserve water: The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater will pollute our oceans. Help reduce pollution: Walk, bike or ride the bus. Fossil fuel emissions from cars and industry raise lead to ocean warming which causes mass-bleaching of corals and can lead to widespread destruction of reefs. Research what you put on your lawn: Although you may live thousands of miles from a coral reef ecosystem, these products flow into the water system, pollute the ocean, and can harm coral reefs and marine life. Dispose of your trash properly: Don't leave unwanted fishing lines or nets in the water or on the beach. Any kind of litter pollutes the water and can harm the reef and the fish. Support reef-friendly businesses: Ask the fishing, boating, hotel, aquarium, dive or snorkeling operators how they protect the reef. Be sure they care for the living reef ecosystem and ask if the organization responsible is part of a coral reef ecosystem management effort. Plant a tree: Trees reduce runoff into the oceans. You will also contribute to reversing the warming of our planet and the rising temperatures of our oceans. Practice safe and responsible diving and snorkeling: Do not touch the reef or anchor your boat on the reef. Contact with the coral will damage the delicate coral animals, and anchoring on the reef can kill it, so look for sandy bottom or use moorings if available. Volunteer for a coral reef cleanup: You don't live near a coral reef? Then do what many people do with their vacation: visit a coral reef. Spend an afternoon enjoying the beauty of one of the most diverse ecosystems on the Earth. Contact your government representatives: Demand they take action
Sunscreen is not always the greatest because it is one of the causes of coral bleaching. The reason sunscreen is a threat is because there is this one chemical it carries that is very harmful for the reefs and it can't fight it off. About 4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreen enter coral reef areas around the world each year. Scientist push consumers to buy sunscreen that does not contain oxybenzone and instead invest in long sleeve rash guards to prevent the use of sunscreen because coral reefs are a big part in our community.
Coral bleaching happens when there is a decrease of zooxanthellae involved in the symbiotic relationship with their coral host. This also causes a loss of the coral's beautiful colors that sometimes can be seen to human eye. Bleaching leads to death of coral over time. Some causes of bleaching have been tied to salinity of the ocean and sedimentation. The main reasons known to cause severe coral bleaching are climate change and radiation. These two elements are extremely harmful to coral especially when they’re working together at the same time (Fitt et al. 2001).
Due to global warming, the frequency of coral bleaching is predicted to continue to increase (Baker et al., 2008; Spillman et al., 2013) Numerous reefs across the world experience coral bleaching rather than just one reef. Coral bleaching can have a devastating effect on a region 's tourism industry and can cause not only coral mortality, but the death of other animals that rely on coral to survive. Higher ocean temperatures not only result in more frequent coral bleaching, but can increase other threats to the survival of coral. Furthermore, repeated bleaching increases the chance of fatal bleaching events (Baker et al., 2008). Moreover, despite coral surviving higher sea temperatures in the past, there are many other factors contributing to coral bleaching. Coral recovery depends on how often bleaching events occur and global warming increases this and worsens conditions for reproduction which is essential to survival. Coral bleaching due to global warming is more concerning than many people
There are no proven health risks of spray tanning as of right now; however the FDA is investigating the safety of the DHA component in the "Mystic Tan".
Climate change has been affecting coral reefs in a negative way. If the climate continues to get warmer more of our coral reef become bleached, the structure of the reefs will become weak, and algae that keeps coral healthy will die. In the essay, “A framework for understanding Climate change impacts on Coral Reefs” by Joshua Clinner (2016), he emphasizes our climate change has become one of the long-term threats to coral reef. The article “Climate change and human impacts are damaging the world’s coral reefs”, which didn’t include an author (2001), states that the sea temperatures throughout the tropics has increased dramatically leaving much of the coral unhealthy. Spencer Hall (2008), discussed in his article “Coral Reefs and Climate Change”, how the increase in climate change puts a lot of stress on coral reefs because they are very sensitive to the change of temperature. Rigel B (2003) states in his essay, “Climate Change and Coral Reefs”, that coral reef has already been negatively impacted by
Possibly a cure for cancer, and people are treating these living organisms like they are nothing. Maybe if there was more education, people wouldn't take the subject so lightly. These organisms not only provide protection from ultra-violet rays, they also help slow down the depletion of the ozone layer by taking carbon dioxide out of the air. The last reason I have as to why these precious resources should be protected is that they are a living laboratory. Students and teachers can study the symbiotic relationship between the coral and the organisms that live within it.
Some examples of harmful toxins with difficult names include diethanolamine (DEA), formaldehyde, glucocorticoids, and triethanolamine (TEA). We are exposed to toxic chemicals in many ways. We may breathe them in as sprays and powders, swallow chemicals on our lips and, even rub them on our skin. According to a team of researchers who conducted a study on the relationship between exposure to phthalates and DNA damage on human sperm, “cosmetics frequently contain enhancers that allow ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin. Studies have found health problems in people exposed to common fragrance and sunscreen ingredients, including increased risk of sperm damage, feminization of the male reproductive system and low birth weight in girls” (Duty et al. 1164). There should be regulations banning toxic chemicals from personal care and beauty products because toxins are bad for our health (1), the consumer faith in cosmetic companies are suffering (2), and other countries recognized the effects and banned it while America has not
Probably the most commonly used word by your dermatologist, your beautician, your pharmacist or just the girl next door, and for a good reason. The sun’s damaging UV rays can single-handedly destroy your skin over time and in some cases even cause irreparable damage. It will burn your skin, dry it out, destroy collagen fibers and predispose you to cancer. Whether it’s a scorching sun or not, whether you are outdoors or not, sunscreen is an everyday must-wear. You have a choice.